The Acting Attorney General, Todd Blanche, has dismissed California Governor Gavin Newsom's claims that the Justice Department is politically targeting him.
Blanche made the statement during a news conference, saying that Newsom's assertions are not "grounded in fact." The Governor had previously claimed that the Justice Department is investigating him and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, under orders from President Donald Trump.
Blanche declined to comment on any ongoing investigations, but he rejected the Governor's claims, saying that Newsom's words are "not in any way grounded in fact."
Newsom had claimed that Trump had directed the Justice Department to investigate him and his wife in an effort to undermine a potential White House campaign.
The Governor had described the investigation as a politically motivated "fishing expedition" by Trump's DOJ, saying that he and his wife have "nothing to hide."
Blanche also rejected Newsom's broader characterization of the situation, saying that he can "choose to say whatever he thinks helps him," but that doesn't make it true.
The investigation into Newsom and his wife has been ongoing since 2025 and is based on whistleblower complaints related to their personal finances.
The matter is being handled by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Sacramento, although federal officials have said that there are investigations involving Jennifer Siebel Newsom, but not directly targeting Governor Newsom himself.
The Justice Department has not confirmed any investigation involving Newsom or his wife, and Jennifer Siebel Newsom is a documentary filmmaker who runs a nonprofit organization that seeks to advance feminism through media production.
The organization has faced "pay-for-play" allegations, with critics claiming that corporations with business interests in California donated to the organization in an effort to gain influence with Newsom.
In response to Blanche's remarks, the Governor's office posted a meme on social media with the caption, "Why you always lyin," and the press office wrote, "Trump goons know that it's not a crime to lie to a reporter."
